30 Colorful Flowers and Foliage to Make Your Garden Pop

By
Jamie McIntosh
Jamie McIntosh
Jamie McIntosh
Jamie McIntosh has written about gardening and special occasion flowers for the Spruce since 2011. She has more than 20 years of experience caring for flowers and plants. She was a feature writer for Organic Gardening at Suite101, where she won awards for her writing.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 07/20/21
Colorful tulips with cream, pink and fuchsia petals in flower box

The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong

When it comes to color, not all plants are equal. Some flowers come in muted pastel hues while others feature vibrant shades. And some colorful flowers even have an iridescence on the petals that catches light and increases the richness of their hues. There are endless options to add color to your landscape. You can create a garden with a rainbow of tones, a few complementary colors, or even a single color in multiple shapes, such as a garden full of red flowers.

Here are 30 colorful flowers to help inspire you.

  • 01 of 30

    Bearded Iris (Iris germanica)

    Bearded iris flowers with orange, dark red, white and blue colored petals in garden

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    The bearded iris is a go-to colorful flower, as each part of the bloom's anatomy contributes something different to its appearance. This results in a harmonious appearance that looks like Mother Nature went to the paint store and brought home a color swatch palette. Take, for example, the cultivar 'In Town' with its lavender, purple, and tangerine coloring. Grow bearded iris in full sun and well-drained soil.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 10
    • Color Varieties: Purple
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Humusy, medium moisture, well-drained
  • 02 of 30

    Blanket Flower (Gaillardia x Grandiflora)

    Blanket flowers with yellow and bright orange colored petals in garden

    The Spruce / Autumn Wood

    Blanket flowers vary in height and form, but they all feature some brilliant combination of yellow, orange, and red on daisy-like flowers from June to September. The sun-loving perennials attract butterflies, and they tolerate rabbit nibbling and dry soil conditions. But make sure they have good drainage, as they don't perform well in heavy, wet soil.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 10
    • Color Varieties: Yellow, orange, red
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-drained
  • 03 of 30

    Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)

    Zinnia flowers with colorful yellow, pink and red petals in garden

    The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

    Zinnias provide easy summer color from June all the way until frost in the fall, coming in a wide array of bright shades. There are many zinnia cultivars, including new ones that are mildew-resistant, such as the 'Profusion' series. This is helpful because zinnias as a whole are susceptible to fungal diseases. Plant them in a spot with good air circulation to help prevent disease issues.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 11 (annual)
    • Color Varieties: Red, pink, orange, yellow, green, purple, white
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Humusy, moist, well-drained
  • 04 of 30

    Moss Rose (Portulaca grandiflora)

    Moss rose flowers with yellow, pink and red colored petals in garden

    The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

    Moss rose plants don't ask for much in the garden besides as much sun as you can provide. The blooms will close when clouds and nighttime steal their light. Gardeners looking to liven up a harsh environment, such as a curbside or sidewalk edge, should choose moss rose, as it can take the heat and drought that concrete and asphalt generate.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 11 (annual)
    • Color Varieties: Red, pink, orange, yellow, white
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained
    Continue to 5 of 30 below.
  • 05 of 30

    Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)

    Hibiscus flowers with large bright orange and red petals in garden closeup

    The Spruce / Pheobe Cheong

    There are several hardy hibiscus varieties that can add summer color to a sunny flower garden. But those who wish to take it up a notch know that tropical hibiscus delivers color like few others can. Huge flowers in neon shades send a shout-out to hummingbirds and other pollinators, and they give your patio that staycation feel. Be sure to protect your plants from temperatures below 50 degrees.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 9 to 11
    • Color Varieties: Red, pink, orange, yellow, purple, white
    • Sun Exposure: Full, partial
    • Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained
  • 06 of 30

    Persian Buttercup (Ranunculus asiaticus)

    Persian buttercup flowers with round pink, orange and salmon colored petals in garden closeup

    The Spruce / Kara Riley

    The glowing reds, oranges, and yellows of Persian buttercup, which rival English roses in petal count, will certainly brighten up a garden. These late spring bloomers are hardy to zone 8, but they are often grown as annuals outside of their hardiness zones. Plus, they do well in containers. Soil with good drainage is imperative for these plants, as they are prone to root rot.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 8 to 10
    • Color Varieties: Red, pink, yellow, white
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Sandy, loamy, medium moisture, well-drained
  • 07 of 30

    Strawflower (Xerochrysum bracteatum)

    Strawflower with deep pink, orange and copper colored petals clustered in garden closeup

    The Spruce / Autumn Wood

    The papery flowers of strawflower plants have fooled more than one person who thought the bright blooms were fake. Also known as paper daisies, the blooms last for a long time both as cut flowers and as dried specimens for arrangements or potpourri. These plants generally grow without issues, though taller varieties might need staking to prevent them from flopping over.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 8 to 10
    • Color Varieties: Red, pink, orange, yellow, white
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained
  • 08 of 30

    Coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides)

    Coleus plant with bright green, pink and purple leaves in garden

    The Spruce / Cori Sears

    Coleus plants offer a kaleidoscope of colors for the garden, including 'Wizard Sunset' with its bright apricot foliage. These tropical plants are primarily grown for their foliage, which comes in nearly every color. But they also bear blue or white flowers in the summertime. Pinch back the stems for a bushier growth habit. And make sure the plants aren’t getting too much sun, which can wilt the foliage.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 11
    • Color Varieties: Blue, white
    • Sun Exposure: Partial, shade
    • Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained
    Continue to 9 of 30 below.
  • 09 of 30

    Tulip (Tulipa spp.)

    Tulip flowers with yellow, red and pink colored petals in garden

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    When you think of colorful flowers, tulips might spring to mind. These spring bloomers come in many vivid shades, and they look impressive in groups of 25 or more. Be sure to plant bulbs at least 6 inches beneath the soil's surface to increase the chances of them coming back the following year.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8
    • Color Varieties: All colors except blue
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Rich, medium moisture, well-drained
  • 10 of 30

    Oriental Poppy (Papaver orientale)

    Oriental poppy flowers with round bright orange colored petals in garden

    The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

    There is something magical about a flower that can pack so much pigment into tissue-thin petals. Oriental poppies take that magic a step further with a wide range of colors, including rich plum purples and juicy reds. Poppies have a long tap root that allows them to endure drought. But it also makes them resent transplanting, so try not to disturb their roots.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 7
    • Color Varieties: Red, pink, orange, purple, white
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Rich, medium moisture, well-drained
  • 11 of 30

    Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.)

    Coral bell foliage with brown, red and copper colored leaves in garden closeup

    The Spruce / Kara Riley

    Coral bells species are grown for their colorful foliage that forms low, rounded mounds. But they also send up small bell-shaped flowers in the summertime on tall stems above the foliage. While the blooms are delicate, they can add lots of visual impact to a garden, especially when coral bells plants are grouped together. Divide mature clumps every few years to retain their vigor.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9
    • Color Varieties: Red, pink, orange, green, white
    • Sun Exposure: Full, partial
    • Soil Needs: Rich, medium moisture, well-drained
  • 12 of 30

    Lantana (Lantana camara)

    Lantana flowers with small bright pink, yellow and red petals clustered in garden closeup

    The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

    If you could ask a pollinator which colorful flowers to add to the garden next, lantana would be on the short list. The pretty little flower clusters come in several shades, sometimes all on the same plant. Lantana plants are easy to grow to a fault in some areas where they can become invasive. Look for cultivars such as 'New Gold' that don't form berries to prevent any unwanted spread.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 11
    • Color Varieties: Red, pink, orange, yellow, purple, white
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-drained
    Continue to 13 of 30 below.
  • 13 of 30

    Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.)

    Daylily flower with deep pink and yellow colored petals in garden closeup

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    As evidenced by their presence along roadsides, daylily plants are as tough as nails. The many cultivars on the market, including the 'Chicago Royal Robe' pictured, are no more difficult to grow than the yellow and orange types growing wild in fields and farmsteads. Deadhead the flowers (remove the spent flower heads) to promote additional blooming.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
    • Color Varieties: Red, pink, orange, yellow, purple
    • Sun Exposure: Full, partial
    • Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-drained
  • 14 of 30

    Rose (Rosa spp.)

    Rose bush with bright red flowers in backyard garden

    The Spruce / Candace Madonna

    Aside from the not-yet-fulfilled promise of a true blue, roses come in every color to suit the garden palette. Hybrid tea roses deliver flowers with a perfect form for cutting. But don't overlook easy-to-grow shrub roses, which are just as vibrant. Deadheading will help to promote repeat blooming.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 10 (depends on variety)
    • Color Varieties: Red, pink, orange, yellow, green, purple, white
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Loamy, medium moisture, well-drained
  • 15 of 30

    Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.)

    Fuchsia flowers with bright pink and purple petals surrounded by leaves closeup

    The Spruce / Kara Riley

    Every spring, garden centers wow shoppers with lush hanging baskets overflowing with fuchsia plants. It's difficult to resist the bright pink, purple, and red flowers of this genus, but many of these plants are destined for the compost bin after a couple of months. Keep your fuchsias blooming with a partially shady location sheltered from wind, and provide plants with rich soil and regular irrigation.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 11
    • Color Varieties: Red, pink, purple, white, bicolors
    • Sun Exposure: Partial, shade
    • Soil Needs: Rich, medium moisture, well-drained
  • 16 of 30

    Coneflower (Echinacea spp.)

    Coneflowers with pink colored petals in garden closeup

    The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

    Gone are the days of the washed-out mauve Echinacea plants that attracted butterflies but not many compliments. A focus on breeding has given us coneflowers in bright corals, magentas, and more that wow people and pollinators. Although coneflowers will tolerate drought, the new varieties fare better in loamy soil with regular irrigation.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8
    • Color Varieties: Pink, purple, yellow, white, orange
    • Sun Exposure: Full, partial
    • Soil Needs: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained
    Continue to 17 of 30 below.
  • 17 of 30

    Dahlia (Dahlia spp.)

    Dahlia flowers with deep pink colored petals in garden

    The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

    Dahlias are one of the darlings of the cut flower world. And these bright, showy blooms with many petals are not particularly difficult to grow with a little pampering. Dahlias need regular water, lots of sun, and a flower fertilizer throughout the growing season to bloom prolifically. Tall varieties also might need staking to prevent them from flopping.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 7 to 10
    • Color Varieties: Red, pink, orange, yellow, purple, white
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Rich, medium moisture, well-drained
  • 18 of 30

    Balloon Flower (Platycodon grandiflorus)

    Balloon flower with deep purple colored and star-shaped petals in garden closeup

    The Spruce / Autumn Wood

    Balloon flowers get their common name because the flower buds look like inflated balloons before they pop into their upward-facing, star-shaped flowers. The showy blooms stretch 2 to 3 inches across and appear throughout the summer. Make sure to grow these plants in loose, well-draining soil, as they can easily rot in soil that’s too wet.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8
    • Color Varieties: Purple-blue
    • Sun Exposure: Full, partial
    • Soil Needs: Loamy, moist, well-drained
  • 19 of 30

    Virginia Bluebell (Mertensia virginica)

    Virginia bluebell flowers with light lavender-colored trumpet-shaped petals in garden closeup

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Virginia bluebells are a clump-forming wildflower, growing naturally in woodlands and floodplains. In the spring, they feature clusters of trumpet- or bell-shaped flowers that stretch about an inch long. The flowers start off with a pinkish tone before turning their trademark blue. This plant doesn’t require much maintenance besides providing it with at least a little shade. 

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8
    • Color Varieties: Blue
    • Sun Exposure: Partial, shade
    • Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-drained
  • 20 of 30

    New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)

    New England aster flowers with thin pink colored petals clustered in garden

    The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

    New England asters grow naturally in prairies, meadows, and low valleys. They prefer moist but not soggy soil. These plants flower in the late summertime with daisy-like blooms that stretch almost 2 inches across. They’re a bright pink-purple color with yellow centers. Make sure there is good air circulation around the plants to prevent fungal diseases. 

    • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8
    • Color Varieties: Pink-purple
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained
    Continue to 21 of 30 below.
  • 21 of 30

    Clematis (Clematis 'Jackmanii')

    Clematis flower with deep purple colored petals in garden closeup

    The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

    Clematis flowers are bright and showy. In particular, the 'Jackmanii' cultivar features flowers the stretch 5 to 7 inches across in a vivid violet color. This plant has a vining growth habit, so provide it with a support structure, such as a trellis. Also, apply a layer of mulch over the roots to keep them cool.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8
    • Color Varieties: Purple
    • Sun Exposure: Full, partial
    • Soil Needs: Rich, medium moisture, well-drained
  • 22 of 30

    Dianthus (Dianthus spp.)

    Dianthus flowers with white and bright pink colored petals in garden closeup

    The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

    Dianthus flowers traditionally come in shades of pink, but there are other varieties as well. The interesting blooms have petals with jagged edges. The plants begin flowering in the late spring to early summer and persist through most of the summer. Deadhead the spent blooms to prolong the flowering period. 

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
    • Color Varieties: Red, pink, purple, white
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-drained
  • 23 of 30

    Canna Lily (Canna × generalis)

    Canna lily flower with bright orange and yellow petals and blooms in garden

    The Spruce / K. Dave

    Canna is a small genus of tropical and subtropical plants with colorful flowers. They bloom in the summertime with flower spikes that rise above the foliage. The spikes should be removed after the flowers are spent. Also, make sure the plant gets consistent moisture but isn’t sitting in waterlogged soil.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 7 to 10
    • Color Varieties: Red, pink, orange, yellow, white, bicolors
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained
  • 24 of 30

    Peony (Paeonia officinalis)

    Peony flower with deep red petals in garden closeup

    The Spruce / David Beaulieu

    Peonies are long-lived plants that resist rabbits and deer but attract pollinators. Their showy, lightly fragrant, cup-shaped flowers bloom in the late spring, stretching roughly 5 inches across. Plants should be cut to the ground after frost in the fall, as they go dormant for winter and regrow in the spring.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 8 to 10
    • Color Varieties: Red, pink, white
    • Sun Exposure: Full, partial
    • Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained
    Continue to 25 of 30 below.
  • 25 of 30

    Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

    Lavender flowers with small purple petals on thin stems in garden

    The Spruce / Pheobe Cheong

    Lavender is familiar both for its fragrance and its beautiful spikes of purple flowers. It will bloom throughout the summer, and the flowers are commonly harvested and dried for potpourri and sachets. Make sure the plant is in soil the has good drainage, as it is prone to root rot in soggy conditions.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 8
    • Color Varieties: Purple
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained
  • 26 of 30

    Marigold (Tagetes spp.)

    Marigold flowers with red and yellow colored petals in garden closeup

    The Spruce / Pheobe Cheong

    Marigolds are low-maintenance annuals that love the sun, coming in a variety of forms. These colorful flowers can bloom almost without ceasing from late spring or early summer until frost in the fall. To perpetuate the blooming, regularly deadhead the spent flower heads. 

    • USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 11 (annual)
    • Color Varieties: Yellow, orange, red, white
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Average, moist, well-drained
  • 27 of 30

    Daffodil (Narcissus spp.)

    Daffodil flowers with yellow and orange colored petals in garden

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    When the daffodils are popping up, gardeners know spring has arrived. These bulbs produce trumpet- or cup-shaped flowers in an array of bright colors, and they sometimes are fragrant as well. Plant your bulbs 3 to 6 inches deep, and you’ll likely be able to leave them in the ground for years to enjoy blooms each spring.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8
    • Color Varieties: Pink, orange, yellow, white, bicolors
    • Sun Exposure: Full, partial
    • Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-drained
  • 28 of 30

    Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus)

    Sweat pea flowers with bright pink petals in garden in front of house

    The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

    Sweet pea has a climbing or bushy growth habit. It blooms in the late spring into summer with clusters of very sweetly fragrant flowers. The main species plant typically has purple flowers, though it comes in many other varieties and even bicolors. Deadheading will help to lengthen the blooming period.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 11 (annual)
    • Color Varieties: All colors except yellow
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Rich, medium moisture, well-drained
    Continue to 29 of 30 below.
  • 29 of 30

    Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

    Large sunflower head with yellow colored petals closeup

    The Spruce / Pheobe Cheong

    Sunflowers capture the brightness of the sunshine in their pretty petals. The blooms typically stretch 3 to 6 inches across, though some varieties have much more massive flowers. They flower in the summertime and then drop their seeds for the next season. Be sure to plant sunflowers somewhere that’s protected from strong winds, and stake tall plants as needed.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 11 (annual)
    • Color Varieties: Yellow, red, mahogany
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Average, moist, well-drained
  • 30 of 30

    Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia)

    Mexican flower with bright orange colored petals in garden closeup

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Mexican sunflowers bloom with vivid, showy flowers that stretch roughly 3 inches across. They begin flowering in the midsummer and continue into fall, and they make for a good cut flower. These plants are tolerant of poor soil, and in fact rich soil can produce plants with weak stems and excess foliage. Tall plants might need staking to prevent flopping. 

    • USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 11 (annual)
    • Color Varieties: Red-orange with yellow center
    • Sun Exposure: Full
    • Soil Needs: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained
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